Strange Hearts (2001)

Director:

Michelle Gallagher

Writer (WGA):

Michelle Gallagher (written by)

Release Date:

23 October 2002 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Horror

Tagline:

Love's a Wild Card.

Plot:

An aging former child star tries to capture the wealth that has always eluded him by latching on to a lucky man while both have their eye on the same girl of their dreams. |

Plot Keywords:

Car Accident | Cowboy | Game Show | Geisha | Love Triangle

Cast

Robert Forster	...	Jack Waters
Rose McGowan	...	Moira Kennedy
Kip Pardue	...	Henry Fields
Harry Hamlin	...	Dan Smith
Andrew Heckler	...	Jim Lewis
Meg Wittner	...	Claudette
Tony Santoro	...	Bob Poker Guy
Keith Adams	...	Jim Poker Guy
Kelly Donovan	...	Riches P.A.
Christopher Michael	...	Announcer
Carol Stanzione	...	Riches Director
Nancy Mura	...	Riches Stylist
Fred Travalena	...	Riches Host
Kerry Li	...	Party Bartender
Timilee Romolini	...	Nurse Diane

Also Known As:

Rat in the Can
Roads to Riches (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Sweden:15 | Australia:M | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Gold Circle Films

Quotes:

Henry Fields: I'm Henry Fields, from Texas.
Moira Kennedy: I'm Moira Kennedy, of everywhere.

Soundtrack:

Protection

Very well done.

Strange Hearts is probably one of the biggest film surprises I've had all year, it's a very well-done little independent film that deserves much more then a straight-to-dvd release. The story revolves around Jack, a down-trodden middle-aged man who's best friends with a mysterious and very disturbed young woman called Moira. Their friendship is stretched when a young man, called Henry, enters their lives. Henry, a strangely lucky guy, "steals" Moira away from Jack, unaware of her emotional fragilities and disturbing past, forcing Jack, who treasures Moira more then anything AND who you start feeling very sorry for by now, to put his luck to the test and gamble on everything he has.

The entire cast is exceptional. Robert Foster's renowned charisma shines through in many ways, and Kip Pardue is very hateable as the cocky Henry. Rose McGowan (who I've become very interested in since seeing this movie) is probably the stand-out of the film, utilising her interesting role to the very hilt and stealing every scene she is in. First-time director and screen writer Michelle Gallagher delivers a powerful punch on her debut, and I look forward to seeing what she has to offer in the future.

Overall Strange Hearts is a thoroughly enjoyable drama, that really makes us think about how much of a big part friendship, trust and loyalty play in all our lives. A definite 3/4.